Frequently Asked Questions
Technical answers regarding metadata, privacy, and how ExifScrub functions.
Does ExifScrub upload my images to a server?
No. ExifScrub is a strict 100% client-side web application. All parsing, file compressing, and metadata scrubbing happens locally in your web browser's temporary memory. Your files are never transmitted to our servers or any external service.
What image formats are supported?
Currently, ExifScrub fully supports standard web formats: JPEG, PNG, and WebP. We do not currently support complex RAW files (like .CR2, .NEF, or .DNG) or HEIC formats, as parsing these reliably requires heavy server-side processing.
Does removing EXIF reduce the visual image quality?
Removing metadata inherently requires rebuilding the image file in the browser (via Canvas). Depending on the format and tool used (e.g., Compressor vs. 1-Click Scrub), minor lossy re-encoding may occur for JPEGs. If you require zero quality loss, we recommend converting to Lossless PNG via our Resizer/Compressor tools.
Can metadata be recovered after removal?
No. Once the EXIF metadata is stripped from the file and a new version is saved, the data is permanently gone from that specific new file. It cannot be recovered by forensic software because the data blocks literally no longer exist in the file architecture. (However, your original untouched file on your device still retains it).
Does removing EXIF remove the visible information in a photo?
Absolutely not. EXIF scrubbing only removes the hidden text-based data stored in the file code. If your photograph visually shows a street sign, a reflection in a mirror, or a recognizable face, that visual information remains entirely intact and visible to anyone viewing the picture.
Is EXIF removal the same as image compression?
No. EXIF removal strips text data (usually saving only a few kilobytes of space). Image compression mathematically alters the actual pixels of the image to reduce the file size dramatically (often saving megabytes). ExifScrub provides tools for both, allowing you to compress and scrub simultaneously.
Why does my image show no GPS data when I scan it?
Location metadata is only recorded if your device's camera app had permission to access GPS at the time the photo was taken. Additionally, if the image was downloaded from a social media platform (like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook), the platform likely already stripped the original metadata automatically to save server space.
What does the Privacy Risk Score mean?
Our Deep Scanner generates a local Privacy Risk Score. It evaluates how much personally identifiable context an image exposes based on standard EXIF fields. High scores (Red) are triggered by exact GPS coordinates, while moderate scores (Yellow/Orange) flag unique device hardware identifiers and original chronological timestamps.